Forests in the Middle Ages and How to Use Them in Your Games

Lindybeige, a popular YouTuber, has a great video talking about how forests looked like back in the old days. The forests we see today which are covered in underbrush and which we’d call “untamed” or “virgin” forests look nothing like the ones in the Middle Ages.

In summary, forests in the Middle Ages were far more cleanly managed than they are today. Forests were an extension of farmland, with them very carefully managing the forest and keeping it clear of underbrush.

Coppicing consists of cutting a tree so that it grows in thin, straight poles, perfect for polearms, spears, lances, and arrows, as well as fencing and house construction. As a result, many trees in the forests were very straight. By keeping the ground clear and even, it made it easier to spot wild animals for hunting and made for clearer paths for hunters’ arrows. How was the underbrush kept clear? In a lot of cases by burning.

Controlled burns were used to clear out underbrush and keep the forest floor clean. In areas more inaccessible to humans (though, with how humans spread, those were few and far between), the abundance of animals kept the undergrowth tamed through grazing.

So, there’s your history lesson, but how can you use it in-game?

Imagine, if you will, low-level characters being sent into a forest to start a controlled burn when they discover an owlbear nest with baby owlbearlets. They would probably be less likely to start that burn. Should they help move the owlbears elsewhere, or is there another solution? The players could also be traveling through the forest when they come upon a controlled burn, with bandits waiting to catch travelers between themselves and the fire. Then, if the fire spreads, you could have a fantastic battle surrounded by flames.

For travel, if it’s near civilization, the forest floor should be pretty clear, with the trees in fairly straight lines. That means that travel through a forest without a road shouldn’t really be that much slower. It should also be pretty easy to spot movement.

As I was driving the family down to Oregon over the summer, we passed by a large copse of trees which were built for harvest. As we drove past, you could actually look down the rows of trees, all arranged together. It was haunting and beautiful. In a race like the Elves, who are especially long-lived, the forests would be even BETTER managed with rows like this, because, in their long lives, trees grow so quickly.

Humans have tamed the land far longer than most people think. By showing the manner of forest management, you can make the world feel more lived-in and create a more dynamic world.